Crossrail

Gareth Bacon: When will Crossrail open?

The Mayor: It was very disappointing to receive confirmation from Crossrail that their plan for opening the Elizabeth Line now has a date of the first half of 2022. I’ve asked TfL’s new Commissioner, Andy Byford, to look in detail at Crossrail’s plans. Everyone remains focussed on opening the Elizabeth line as soon aspossible, safely and reliably for the benefit of London. The delivery of the central section of the Elizabeth line is in its complex final stages and we’re getting closer to this being an operational railway integrated in TfL. But the project is being completed at a time of great uncertainty. COVID-19 has clearly had an impact, making the existing pressureseven more acute.
As work to complete the railway progresses, the project team will be looking for opportunities to review and bring forward the opening of the central section. This of course is subject toprogress during the intensive operational testing phase. Regularupdates will continue to be provided to the LondonAssembly detailing the progress madeon completing thedelivery of the railway.

Elephant & Castle Trader Relocation

Florence Eshalomi: The historic Elephant & Castle Centre is to close on the 24 September, around half of the small independent businesses, about 40 in number, still have no relocation space and are therefore looking at the loss of their livelihoods. Will the Mayor support the Elephant & Castle Relocation Proposal, commissioned by local charity Latin Elephant, in collaboration with Southwark Law Centre and the wider Up the Elephant Campaign? The proposal details how enough stalls could be provided at 3 sites around the Elephant, to accommodate all the stall holders still without alternative premises.

The Mayor: I have always been clear that the small traders at the shopping centre should get a fair deal. When the application was in planning my officers worked hard with Southwark and the developer to negotiate an enhanced relocation strategy including on-site affordable retail space, business advice, financial support and a database of relocation opportunities within the surrounding area.
It is disappointing that a number of small businesses still don’t have the certainty they need. I understand the specific relocation proposal you refer to would be subject to various planning and licencing consents, so it is not appropriate for me to comment on that at this time. However, in general I would welcome any workable solution that provides these businesses with the space they need to trade.